Physical Development

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will study the factors that influence growth, maturation and development during infancy and early childhood using guided observations of infants and young children to examine the state of the infant at birth and patterns of development from birth to the middle childhood years. Growth and development of body systems will be examined with particular reference to the development of the central nervous system. The relationship between neurological development and the emergence of complex behaviour will be examined through a study of changes in sensory and perceptual competencies, motor skill development, communicative behaviour and self-regulation. The range of factors that influence the timing and variability in development will be examined through the current research literature.

Assignments totalling 2000 words and a 2-hour examination.

Prescribed Texts:

• Child Development (L Berk), (7th edn), Allyn and Bacon, 2003
• Children's Development Progress Birth to Five Years (M D Sheridan), London, NFER, 1998

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.